So, while I still retain my "Member" status, I had not used the message board for quite a few years. I have sent off the required e-mail with the photo requirements of my red card and I.D., and I am waiting patiently, but I have noticed something peculiar.

I have a somewhat limited access to the Members Only section, even though I don't know if I've been approved for downstairs participation again. I can see and read the topics and responses in the section of "Art & Artists," but, for some reason, that is the only section. If I try any other section, I get the message of access being denied.

I was wondering if I needed to be a VIP as well as a card holder. I have the card, but I am not VIP; so does this mean that the email that I sent requesting access downstairs needs to be resent after I upgrade to VIP?

I finally received my VIP upgrade after waiting quite some time for someone to recognize that I had paid and wasn't getting the service I'd paid for nor a response to my inquiries about the matter (thanks again, Quaark, for being the one who took notice and did something about it).

However, I became a VIP subscriber in order to become recognized as a CoS member and, though I've followed the directions step by step, I still haven't been given my member's badge to allow access; also, noone has yet to answer my question as to why. I'll probably just cancel my VIP subscription if I can't get access to the CoS Members' forums soon.